JSF Espace civique, Innovation for Change

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR ENGAGING A CONSULTANT TO ELABORATE A TOOLKIT ON PARTICIPATORY LOCAL GOVERNANCE

Position: The Consultant can be a person / organization/ institution

Number: 01

Organization: Youth Without Borders – Tunisia (YWB) / Innovation for Change MENA Hub

Duty Station: Home based (Tunisia)

Duration: 2 months

Type of Contract: free-lance contract

Background:

The Innovation for Change network, is a global network of people and organizations who want to connect, partner and learn together to find positive approaches to overcome barriers to closing civic space and restrictions to our basic freedoms of assembly, association and speech. We are a

community-led network inspired by ideas, methods, and technologies from across sectors, to create solutions that drive positive social change. We work together on advocacy, research, network building, education and training, fundraising, digital literacy and technology development.

Our six connected regional hubs are growing in both physical and online spaces across Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa and South Asia. A seventh Global Innovation Hub, co-facilitated by Counterpart International and CIVICUS supports project implementation and drives innovation across the entire Network.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Hub launched its initial activities in October 2016. More than fifty organizations from across the MENA region have been involved in the Incubation phase of Innovation for Change to date. These groups have held meetings in Tunisia, Lebanon, and Egypt to design the MENA hub, and its initial suite of services and activities.

Working closely with an expanded group of supporters and experts including social entrepreneurs and movements, the MENA Hub has developed its vision to create a free and secured civic space, and a mission to build a collaborative, innovative network of activists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to facilitate the exchange and development of expertise and resources to face the shrinking of civic space.

Activity: Elaborate a toolkit on participatory local governance

Civil Participation is at the heart of the idea of local democracy. It is an approach that brings local communities closer to the decision-making process around local affairs.

In this context, Youth Without Borders – Tunisia (JSF), in coordination with Innovation for Change Hub, need a Toolkit on Participatory Local Governance which can be used by MENA CSOs to strengthen capacities of local communities.

The development of the toolkit will be based on the best tools and practices in this field, used by authorities and CSOs around the world, and that can be used by CSOs in the MENA Region.

In this frame, JSF is hiring a Consultant to elaborate a Toolkit on Participatory Local Governance.

The aim of this toolkit is to:

  1. Identify best efficient and inclusive practices of civil participation mechanisms in local governance;
  2. Identify challenges faced by communities and CSOs in participating in local governance, especially in the MENA Region (Especially Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan);
  3. Identify for each mechanism the different procedures of implementation, forms and stakeholders;
  4. Identify how to evaluate the impact of each tool on civil participation and local public decisions.

Methodology

The consultant will strictly follow the work plan and the time schedule agreed with YWB in undertaking the contract assignment.

  1. The methodology is proposed by the consultant and will be followed after consultation and agreement with YWB;
  2. The consultant will work in close collaboration with YWB;
  3. The consultant will undertake review of the toolkit based on the YWB remarks.

Expected deliverables:

The expected deliverables and outputs from this elaboration of the Toolkit on Participatory Local Governance are:

  1. Produce (1) outline addressing the work plan including coordination meetings with YWB and timeframe;
  2. Produce one (1) assessment report on the best efficient and inclusive practices of civil participation mechanisms in local governance and challenges faced by communities and CSOs in this field, especially in the MENA Region(Especially Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan);
  3. Models of evaluation questionnaire used during and after training sessions;
  4. Tools and methodologies used to evaluate the impact of each tools and mechanisms for participating in local governance.
  5. Training Curriculum on Participatory Local Governance (the total package of learning activities designed to achieve the objectives of the training);

Profile of Eligible Consultant:

  1. At least 5 years of work experience on civil participation on local governance;
  2. Strong experience on developing and conducting trainings;
  3. Demonstrated background in conducting mapping activities and methodical research;
  4. Experience on and knowledge working with CSOs at national level and regional and international NGOs.

Application Instruction and documents required:

  1. Strictly follow the instructions indicated in the Terms of Reference;
  2. The deadline for application is 03 March 2019; applications should be sent to contact@jsf.tn
  3. The Applicant shall, in particular, ensure to attach the following:
  • A short proposal indicating the methodology, work plan and timeframe of the consultancy;
  • A financial offer/proposal specifying the total lump sum amount based on the proposed number of consulting days;
  • A recent CV highlighting past experiences in similar work.

Reporting Relationships:

The consultant will report to YWB all information and the toolkit.

Timeframe

The toolkit elaboration timeframe is from 10th March to 10th May 2019.

Duration of Contract

  1. The duration of contract shall be for 60 days;
  2. The consultant will work closely with YWB and will submit and share the progress of activities as agreed.

Further Information

For any additional information, please contact Youth Without Borders on (contact@jsf.tn).